On the cover

Southern view from atop Cape Perpetua, by Patric Hunter

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Coast Lines

Tis the season for the latest edition of our Mile-by-Mile Guide to the Oregon Coast, and we're proud to mention that it's the most requested guide in the entire state of Oregon.

Carefully updated each year and produced in conjunction with the Oregon Coast Visitors Association, the guide goes out to more than 250,000 travelers. It's easy to follow (based on Highway 101 mile markers), succinct, and full of useful information. You'll also find a large selection of coastal advertisers, so whether you're looking for shopping, dining, or a place to rest your head, be sure to check out the listings.

We've also given you a rundown on the coast's oyster farms. The oyster, whether it really has aphrodisiac properties or not, has been a popular delicacy for humans for thousands of years. Eaten raw, it's like savoring the ocean in one bite. And then of course you can bake, broil, barbecue, or make them into a milky stew. But really, there's nothing like going right to the source, the farms where they are grown, and tasting them fresh on the half shell. With different growing conditions at the different oyster farms, you might even want to consider keeping a comparative journal of oyster flavors.

In Oregon Coast news, let's give a round of applause to the Oregon Coast Aquarium for their hand in saving two female sea turtles that were stranded on beaches last November. The olive ridley sea turtle, an endangered species, was found on Agate Beach, and the Pacific green sea turtle was found on the southern Washington coast. The turtles were both suffering from hypothermia and couldn't navigate. Their natural habitat has a temperature of about 70–85 degrees, and these turtles were in water that was less than 50 degrees. The aquarium gave them urgent care and stabilized them so they could be flown to the SeaWorld Turtle Rehabilitation Center in San Diego, where they will complete their recovery and hopefully be released into the wild.

Because of the mild El Nino conditions that led the sea turtles to find themselves in warm-water pockets surrounded by much colder water, it’s possible that more turtles could be stranded. If you should happen to find one on any of our beaches, contact the Oregon State Police Wildlife Hotline (800-452-7888).